God bless you stretch!
I just got back from the kids kids trip. And now its back from the land of everything that’s perfect and magical to everything that is real. It was 4 or 5 days of smiles and happiness and little javarise was just one of the kids that headed from the airport to the hospital. In his case, he had to go to take yet another treatment for his leukemia. Im praying for you buddy.
Being surrounded by the kids on Monday that were dealing with their different conditions made me remain silent on what I had on my mind. Sunday night, Melissa called me in tears. Even though we had broken up a while back, I still trusted her to baby sit my dogs. One of which is “special needs.” Stretch is my blind, diabetic doggie. Ive had her for 13 years. apparently sometime Sunday evening, she had a serious seizure. Panting hard, fever, and foaming at the mouth. She sent me a text saying she thought that stretch was dying. I was asleep. But when she called. I woke up. she rushed her to the all night doggie hospital and they put an IV on her along with giving her some valium and some anti seizure medication. This all happened between 11pm Sunday night and 3am Monday morning. She called me about every 30 minutes to keep me posted. She stayed at the hospital for a while and then at 2ish, it was time to decide whether to bring her back to my house or leave her there. She called to update me. The vet explained the options. Leave her there and they could monitor her or bring her home where Melissa could be there but rather helpless if she had another seizure. Then the vet broke down the cost. It was already $530. And if she stayed the night, it would be $1000 or more. With no guaranty that she would live either way. Melissa brought stretch back to my house. The vet also painted a pretty grim picture as to what I could expect.
Melissa put her in my bathroom so my other dog wouldn’t bother her. stretch was drugged up and had no problem sleeping. All day on Monday while we were talking to the kidds kids and all of their problems, all I could think about was my doggie. It was so hard to focus. Anyway, stretch was pretty groggy Monday morning and of course, Melissa had to go to work. All I could think about was whether or not stretch was having another seizure and no one was home. I called the maintenance guy here and he finally came up to check on her and said that she was moving slow but she was ok.
When I got home from the airport, she was still disoriented but she was alive. I took her down to pee and she couldn’t walk the whole way. I had to carry her. she kinda was walking like she was drunk. Walking, stopping, staggering, it was not good. I sat in our dog park and I just cried. Wondering if I should see if she would get better…or should I put an end to her pain? Or is she in pain? Having your pets life basically in your hands is a heavy feeling. But having this to deal with the night I get home from the kidds kids trip is super hard!
(written this morning)
There are so many feelings going thru my head right now. On one hand, im sitting here asking myself how in the heck do I think its up to me to decide when my little “stretch” is done fighting her fight. I mean, shouldn’t she be allowed to live out her life? On the other hand, this has been my baby girl for over 13 years. Over thirteen years, she has been right there at my door when I walk in every day or every night. For over 13 years, I have taken her out to pee. When she got diabetes, she kept fighting. I gave her her insulin shots everyday and she never gave up. When she went blind, she showed me that she didn’t need eyes. I would let her out of the back door and she would go find the perfect spot and she would find her way right back up to my back steps and into the house. She never met a person or another dog that she didn’t get along with. She knew married al, she knew separated al. she knew divorced al. she knew limousine driver al. she knew radio al.
As I was walking her last night out to use the bathroom, she stopped. We were walking and she just stopped. Shes never done that before. I picked her up and carried her. On the way back, she did the same thing. This morning at 2am was really bad. For the second night in a row, she had a seizure. Jerking and convulsing and even foaming at the mouth. It was really bad ya’ll. I just gave her some syrup, (sugar), it seemed to help a little and I just spent the next 30 minutes or so laying next to her on the floor. The funny thing is that normally queso, my younger dog, is normally all up in my kool-aid when im giving stretch attention and she’s not getting any, but its like she understands that stretch is sick. She didn’t bother me once. So, as stretch calmed down from her seizure,, I pretty much decided that it was time to let her go. I don’t want her to suffer.
Being surrounded by the kids on Monday that were dealing with their different conditions made me remain silent on what I had on my mind. Sunday night, Melissa called me in tears. Even though we had broken up a while back, I still trusted her to baby sit my dogs. One of which is “special needs.” Stretch is my blind, diabetic doggie. Ive had her for 13 years. apparently sometime Sunday evening, she had a serious seizure. Panting hard, fever, and foaming at the mouth. She sent me a text saying she thought that stretch was dying. I was asleep. But when she called. I woke up. she rushed her to the all night doggie hospital and they put an IV on her along with giving her some valium and some anti seizure medication. This all happened between 11pm Sunday night and 3am Monday morning. She called me about every 30 minutes to keep me posted. She stayed at the hospital for a while and then at 2ish, it was time to decide whether to bring her back to my house or leave her there. She called to update me. The vet explained the options. Leave her there and they could monitor her or bring her home where Melissa could be there but rather helpless if she had another seizure. Then the vet broke down the cost. It was already $530. And if she stayed the night, it would be $1000 or more. With no guaranty that she would live either way. Melissa brought stretch back to my house. The vet also painted a pretty grim picture as to what I could expect.
Melissa put her in my bathroom so my other dog wouldn’t bother her. stretch was drugged up and had no problem sleeping. All day on Monday while we were talking to the kidds kids and all of their problems, all I could think about was my doggie. It was so hard to focus. Anyway, stretch was pretty groggy Monday morning and of course, Melissa had to go to work. All I could think about was whether or not stretch was having another seizure and no one was home. I called the maintenance guy here and he finally came up to check on her and said that she was moving slow but she was ok.
When I got home from the airport, she was still disoriented but she was alive. I took her down to pee and she couldn’t walk the whole way. I had to carry her. she kinda was walking like she was drunk. Walking, stopping, staggering, it was not good. I sat in our dog park and I just cried. Wondering if I should see if she would get better…or should I put an end to her pain? Or is she in pain? Having your pets life basically in your hands is a heavy feeling. But having this to deal with the night I get home from the kidds kids trip is super hard!
(written this morning)
There are so many feelings going thru my head right now. On one hand, im sitting here asking myself how in the heck do I think its up to me to decide when my little “stretch” is done fighting her fight. I mean, shouldn’t she be allowed to live out her life? On the other hand, this has been my baby girl for over 13 years. Over thirteen years, she has been right there at my door when I walk in every day or every night. For over 13 years, I have taken her out to pee. When she got diabetes, she kept fighting. I gave her her insulin shots everyday and she never gave up. When she went blind, she showed me that she didn’t need eyes. I would let her out of the back door and she would go find the perfect spot and she would find her way right back up to my back steps and into the house. She never met a person or another dog that she didn’t get along with. She knew married al, she knew separated al. she knew divorced al. she knew limousine driver al. she knew radio al.
As I was walking her last night out to use the bathroom, she stopped. We were walking and she just stopped. Shes never done that before. I picked her up and carried her. On the way back, she did the same thing. This morning at 2am was really bad. For the second night in a row, she had a seizure. Jerking and convulsing and even foaming at the mouth. It was really bad ya’ll. I just gave her some syrup, (sugar), it seemed to help a little and I just spent the next 30 minutes or so laying next to her on the floor. The funny thing is that normally queso, my younger dog, is normally all up in my kool-aid when im giving stretch attention and she’s not getting any, but its like she understands that stretch is sick. She didn’t bother me once. So, as stretch calmed down from her seizure,, I pretty much decided that it was time to let her go. I don’t want her to suffer.
Add a Comment
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Comment by jenn on November 11, 2009 at 9:04am - I have tears in my eyes and doing everything I can to not bawl my eyes out. I am so sorry you had to make such a hard decision. She knows how much you love her and all that you did to keep her happy and healthy. All in all, you are a great man for the simple fact of the love and compassion you have for your animals. It makes me sad to think I may one day be in your shoes and make the hardest decision I've ever had to make. My prayers are with you both!
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Comment by Melanie on November 11, 2009 at 8:30am -
So sorry Al - putting your pet to sleep is so very hard. Had to do that 2 yeas ago with my precious cat who was 19 years old and this year to my dog who was 15 years old. They are a part of your family and life. God Bless.
Here is a great poem.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
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Comment by Kim on November 11, 2009 at 6:17am - Oh Al I am so sorry to hear about Stretch. I lost my Sasha in May and its one of the hardest things. They become your family your little furry children. I will be praying for you.
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Comment by SwingingFriar on November 10, 2009 at 11:54pm -
Al, my thoughts and prayers are with you today and through your grieving period. Letting go of a best friend, a pet, is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. Whether it's right or wrong doesn't come to your mind, it almost feels selfish to want to hang on to them for your own reasons, but knowing that it's just prolonging the inevitable.
I know this decision was a hard one to make, but knowing that you have support in the morning show cast has to be somewhat of a comfort. Lean on them as well as the listeners who also have you in their thoughts on this difficult day.
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Comment by Terry on November 10, 2009 at 10:25pm -
Yah man, I know how you feel. I had to put my dog down 6 years ago with liver cancer.
Toughest thing I ever had to do. Even right now thinking about it is tough.
Good luck man and sorry for your loss of a best friend!
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Comment by Julie Wilson on November 10, 2009 at 9:59pm - I cried all the way home this morning from taking my daughter to school. I feel so bad for you, I cant imagine being in your shoes right now. Just know when she goes she will be pain free. We love you Big Al.
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Comment by Judith Ott on November 10, 2009 at 9:58pm - I am sorry, my dog! A typo!
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Comment by Judith Ott on November 10, 2009 at 9:56pm
- I feel your pain! I have been listening to you guys for over 15 yrs! This morning, I truly cried at work. I was so saddened by what u are going through! I too lost my doing in 2007 after 13 yrs. He was diagnosted with pancreatic cancer. I had to feed him through a syringe daily. And had to give him his medicine like that also. I swear I wanted will to him to live! He got worse. He had to stay in a small cage at the vet's. It was during the Christmas holidays. It was truly terrible! He got to come home. My husband and I decided that he should not suffer any longer. That night, my husband slept in the guest room that night so I could spend the last night in bed with my dog. The next morning, Caddo(my dog) looked at me and I knew I could not let him suffer this way anymore. My husband came home from work and took him to the vet. He was put to sleep. They put him in a box and my husband brought him home. I have never seen my husband cry like that since his father passed away. I had to take off work that day because I was so upset! It is hard but in the end, I think we made the right choice! I still cry if someone has a pet who is dying. Be strong, Mr. Big Al! I am sure you will make the right decision. Take care and this will take a while to get over. I know that Stretch was a dog that was truly loved by you! Sincerely, Judith Ott
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Comment by melissa on November 10, 2009 at 9:21pm -
The best way to honor the love for your dog is to not allow her to be in pain. Animals are always there for you whether you want to cry or yell or sit in silence. They never judge and they will always be by your side. Now is the time that you need to be the strong one. Be strong for her as she was strong for you. Be loyal to her as she has been loyal to her. Lay by her side as she takes her last breath, because the last thing she will breath is your scent.
She will be at peace, and though your heart will be in pain, she will no longer feel the burden of it.
Good luck!
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Comment by Mrs.Cusack on November 10, 2009 at 8:36pm - I think is the best decision you could make Al... and remember that all dogs go to heaven... Blessings and much love... E
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